The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this afternoon at 2:20 PM ET in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. As slight money line favorites at -106, the Diamondbacks have shown strong form recently, particularly on the road, where they have compiled a 4-1 record in their last five away games. Their overall record stands at 49-48, positioning them second in the NL West and trailing the Dodgers by seven games.
Pitching Matchup
On the mound for the Cubs will be Justin Steele, who has made 14 starts this season, boasting a 2-3 record with an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele has been a reliable presence for Chicago, delivering eight quality starts this season. His most recent outing was particularly notable as he pitched seven scoreless innings. Despite his effectiveness, Steele has displayed a home ERA of 3.16 compared to a road ERA of 2.96.
The Diamondbacks will counter with Ryne Nelson, who holds a 6-6 record and a 4.99 ERA. Nelson’s WHIP stands at 1.42, with opponents batting .296 against him. Impressively, Nelson has made six consecutive starts without surrendering more than three earned runs, providing the stability Arizona needs as they vie for a postseason spot.
Bats Heating Up
The Diamondbacks' offense has been among the best in Major League Baseball, averaging five runs per game, which is the second-best mark in the league. Christian Walker and Ketel Marte have been particularly effective, with Walker smashing 22 homers and Marte adding 19. Despite a recent heart-wrenching 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays, where they squandered a seven-run lead, the Diamondbacks continue to show resilience, having won two straight road games since.
On the Cubs' side, they are averaging 4.2 runs per game, with a .235 overall batting average. Nico Hoerner has been a bright spot recently, hitting .378 over his last nine games. Christopher Morel has also showcased his power, clubbing three homers in his last eight games. The Cubs have been competitive of late, going 7-3 in their last ten games and posting a 4-1 record in their last five home games. Despite these efforts, they remain fifth in the NL Central, 8.5 games behind the Brewers, with a divisional record of 12-21.
Over/Under Insights
For bettors and fans looking at the game's over/under line, set at 7.5 runs, there are compelling statistics to consider. Both teams are on three-game over streaks. Interestingly, 84.5% of Diamondbacks games and 67.3% of Cubs games surpass the 7.5-run line. Arizona holds a 6-4 record when the over/under is set at 7.5, while the Cubs are 12-10 in similar scenarios.
Projections and Predictions
Projections for the game suggest that Justin Steele is expected to notch six strikeouts, while Ryne Nelson is projected to have four. Steele is anticipated to concede fewer runs than Nelson, giving the Cubs a solid shot at stifling the Diamondbacks' powerhouse offense. However, the prediction tilts marginally in favor of Arizona, with a projected score of 5-4 in what should be a closely contested affair.
As the Diamondbacks and Cubs prepare to clash, both teams will aim to build on their recent form. With strong performances on the mound and at the plate, today's game at Wrigley Field is set to be a captivating contest for baseball fans everywhere.